
Getting Ready for Winter
Botley Energy Challenge – Seacourt Hall Saturday 11th November
Energy prices remain high, and prospects are uncertain in the context of
international conflict, a weak economy and high interest rates. All this
adds to the urgency of cutting gas use, nationally and in our homes, which
is a vital part of getting to net zero CO
2
emissions. The single most
important technical change needed is the switch from gas boilers to heat
pumps. At the same time, it is more important than ever to insulate our
homes.
Sustainable Botley is holding a public event in Seacourt Hall from
10.30am to 12.30pm on Saturday 11th November about actions you can
take to save energy, and the financial and practical help available.
There’ll be one-to-one advice, short talks and hot drinks and cakes!
Avoid problems with damp in your home
Many people are coping with the price squeeze by keeping the central
heating switched off until it’s really cold, and just heating one room. You
may be able to acclimatise to the cold, but in the long run damp and mould
will build up, especially at cold spots in your home, including timber
structures. I know this from experience, having had to get rid of mildewy
furniture, books and clothes, and to replace a roof riddled with
woodworm.
The best long-term solution is to insulate your home so it stays warm and
dry throughout with less heating. Loft and cavity wall insulation usually
pay for themselves in reduced fuel bills within a couple of years. Solid
wall insulation is more expensive and complicated, but if you can do it,
you’ll see immediate benefits in improved comfort and prevention of
moisture and mould.
Until recent changes to the government’s net zero strategy, rented
properties were expected to achieve an EPC “C” rating for new lets from
2025, provided the changes involved weren’t too expensive. That would
have meant that lofts and cavity walls should be insulated, but higher cost
measures like solid wall insulation weren’t required. If you’re a good
landlord you will want your tenants to live in a warm, healthy home, and
it is in your own interest to insulate because you’re less likely to have to
pay out for problems caused by damp.
Heat pumps are now cost-competitive with boilers
The other big policy change that affects home energy was the increase
in the “Boiler Upgrade Scheme” grant to £7,500 for installing an air source
heat pump. This really does make a heat pump competitive with a boiler.